I live on the southern Gulf Coast in Florida, and ever since the oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico has been a pretty scary place to live near. We didn't get near the affects that the northern Gulf Coast has gotten, but thanks to an untold number of issues, our area of water is in pretty bad shape. It's really sad.

The latest incident to crop up is this lovely flesh eating bacteria that can easily get into your blood-stream via the tinest cut anywhere on your body and cause the loss of limbs and even death. (Seven people have died from the bacteria and one woman lost a leg to it in the last 2 years!!!)

However, like every good government agency, the "higher-ups" that determine water quality etc. have stated that there is a "very rare threat" for loss of life or limb to this new and lovely bacteria. The water in the Gulf in our area looks like liquid rust most of the time, masses of marine kills have washed up on our shores repeatedly, and now people are dying just from swimming in the Gulf.

But, according to the "popular data" the water is safe to swim in, and no warnings have been issued against swimming. So this begs the question: What would you do??? Let me preface this by saying I do work in the media as a local television news director, so I am bombarded with this type of news 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I direct news for our local ABC & NBC news stations here and this is a major hot topic in our newsroom, so I can't help but feel surrounded by this scary intel on a regular basis.

So I am asking all of you good and objective people out there: what would you do if you knew that your local open water swim location could be potentially leathal? I have a sprint race that I am contemplating doing come Jan. and the swim is in the Gulf of Mexico. But now I have some real reservations about doing this swim.

How many of you would just go ahead and do the race, including the swim, and not worry about it? And how many of you would feel the risk isn't worth it? And I'll go even one step further...how many of you would even go so far as to do a couple of training swims in this water, also?

From 2006 through 2008, I was the Vice Chairman and Chapter Chairman for the Sebastian Inlet chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation makes large strides to ensure that beaches, waters, and oceans are accessible and clean for everyone to enjoy. So don't expect me to guide you in the way of the careless oil, waste, or power industries.

I subscribe to the FWC's email list. With that I receive weekly water quality reports. We, on the Space Coast, have received the most affected water concerns. However, unless you're a small fish, you're still pretty safe in the Indian River Lagoon. SWF is far from any pollution issues.

The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy.

From 2006 through 2008, I was the Vice Chairman and Chapter Chairman for the Sebastian Inlet chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation makes large strides to ensure that beaches, waters, and oceans are accessible and clean for everyone to enjoy. So don't expect me to guide you in the way of the careless oil, waste, or power industries.

I subscribe to the FWC's email list. With that I receive weekly water quality reports. We, on the Space Coast, have received the most affected water concerns. However, unless you're a small fish, you're still pretty safe in the Indian River Lagoon. SWF is far from any pollution issues.

The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy.

The flesh-eating bacteria cases happened in my area, but I still swim in the river with new cuts and all. The small gash that I had on my hand during the last tri (in the same week that the report of the two fishermen that were infected in the same river) has fully healed and I'm still healthy.

Really? 7 people in 2 years???? How many people are using the Gulf on a regular basis? Come on. I live here as well (Ft. Myers), and swim the gulf regularly (Bowditch Point- Ft. Myers Beach). Yes, if I had an open wound I am swimming, anywhere, a pool , the gulf. Are you swimming in rain runoff ditches, like the kid in Lehigh? Paranoia. Chances are far more likely to have a run in with a snowbird that is not paying attention on a run or ride.

Really? 7 people in 2 years???? How many people are using the Gulf on a regular basis? Come on. I live here as well (Ft. Myers), and swim the gulf regularly (Bowditch Point- Ft. Myers Beach). Yes, if I had an open wound I am swimming, anywhere, a pool , the gulf. Are you swimming in rain runoff ditches, like the kid in Lehigh? Paranoia. Chances are far more likely to have a run in with a snowbird that is not paying attention on a run or ride.

I'm 2 hours north of you in the Bradenton/Sarasota area and our beaches are great. I've got a race next weekend with an OWS in a small inlet just off the Gulf. No way I'm skipping my last race of the season. Besides, like someone else pointed out, there is a greater chance I'll get hit by a Snowbird before I ever make it to the water.

Originally posted by cafenervosaThe water in the Gulf in our area looks like liquid rust most of the time, masses of marine kills have washed up on our shores repeatedly, and now people are dying just from swimming in the Gulf.

What are you guys doing down there in Fort Meyers, flushing your toilets and dumping your garbage into the Gulf?

Like Chris, I'm an hour north in Sarasota and our beaches are clean and the water is clear. No qualms at all about swimming in it. Biggest danger here right now is that it's sting ray season and a number of folks have been stung by stepping on them in shallow water.

The worst water polution problem here is probably when all the triathletes are taking their pre-race pee while warming up.

I live here too and I can't believe you are worried about this. There are people in the gulf everyday. I too swim off of Bowditch Point with no issues. I have never given it a thought, even with the flow from the lake. I can't imagine worrying about stuff like this, I'd never do anything, including driving to work let alone go out riding.

And I assume you are talking about the HITS race in January. Go and have fun!
Duane